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Colorful Artisan-Made Wares for the Summer Kitchen and Table from Goodee

Maybe it’s the promise of summer and longer days ahead, but lately we’re in search of cheerful, colorful wares to add some brightness to our weeknight meals and unexpected spirit to our spaces. Even better if those objects are ethically made, designed to last, and crafted by artisans the world over to bring a bit of travel indoors, too.


We’re excited to see that , the Black-owned online marketplace for eco-minded, fair-trade, design-forward goods, has —just in time for just-because front-porch dinners and outdoor fetes. We particularly like the collection from newly launched brand , a collaboration between Nairobi-based designer Gladys Macharia and Vermont-based Niccola Milnes with an emphasis on preserving Kenyan craftsmanship practices, emphasizing the role of women in community building, and, like all Goodee creators, empowering local makers and embracing slow design.


We’re eyeing Siafu’s beaded water carafes for the bedside or table, colorful cloth napkins, and delicately etched glassware—as well as Tensira’s newly launched aprons, made by artisans in the Republic of Guinea, and the latest additions from Ghana-based basket company Baba Tree for keeping cool on hot summer afternoons.


Take a look:


Maji Glasses by Siafu Home from Goodee Above: ($100 for a set of two) by Siafu Home are made from recycled glass bottles by Kenyan artisans and hand-engraved with subtle botanicals. (They make lovely flower vases, too.)
Congolese Napkins by Siafu Home from Goodee Above: Siafu Home’s Congolese Napkins come in two colorways: , shown here, and . They’re screen printed by hand onto 100 percent Kenyan cotton with charming scalloped borders; $100 for a set of six.

Above: Two favorites from Ghana-based Baba Tree: The Bolga Fan, shown in the version (left, $55) and in (right, $35). They’re woven in Ghana from sustainable straw and can be used as wall hangings or as a means of keeping cool.

Long Apron by Tensira and Ines de la Fresange from Goodee Above: The ($125) is a collaboration between Tensira and the French designer. It’s responsibly crafted in the Republic of Guinea of 100 percent cotton and is breathable and lightweight for warm-weather work in the kitchen (or garden).
Beaded Water Carafe in Blue by Siafu Home from Goodee Above: We like Siafu Home’s hand-beaded water carafes, made from recycled glass, for serving cold drinks. This is the ($149); it’s also available in and .
Ebony Salad Spoons by Siafu Home from Goodee Above: Pretty by Siafu Home ($50) are eco-minded and low-waste, too: They’re carved from sustainably sourced ebony wood, and the bone handles are made from scraps left over from the local meat industry, then engraved using a traditional wax technique.
Rose Tumble Glasses by Siafu Home from Goodee Above: Equal parts eco-friendly and delicate, the ($75 for a set of two) are made from recycled glass and hand-etched in Kenya, so no two are exactly the same.
Punda Milia Server by Siafu Home from Goodee Above: Siafu Home’s ($50) is carved from olive wood with a scrap bone handle, wax-engraved for added grip. (“Punda Milia” means “zebra” in Swahili, a nod to the stripey design.)
Half Apron in Blue and Black by Tensira from Goodee Above: And another of Tensira’s new offerings: The ($99) is made by artisans in the Republic of Guinea, perfect for keeping tools within easy reach. It’s also available in a grey and off-white colorway.

For much more, take a look at and at Siafu Home’s .

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